<title>Recent Developments Of The Laser In Medicine</title>

Abstract

With the low priority for R and D, research and development, for laser applications in medicine, it is surprising that any current report of progress could be developed. However, still in an all too limited phase, laser medicine continues in this country both for diagnosis and treatment other than for diseases of the eye. (Ref. 1, 2). Fortunately,there is increased activity both in laser biology and medicine in Europe and Russia at the present time. A laser cancer treatment institute has been established in Kiev, Russia. West Germany has plans to develop a laser institute of biology and medicine through the Gesllschaft fur Strahlen and Umweltforschung. So progress in this important field of laser applications will be continued at least, if not here. It is not recognized by those who have withdrawn funding for basic research that research in biology and medicine helps to develop programs for laser safety. With effective programs of laser safety, the field of applications of the laser has expanded and will continue to expand. Work in laser biology is necessary for progress in laser medicine.© (1974) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.